Girls on the Run

 Ashleigh once again this year participated in Girls on the Run. She has a lot of fun with the program and I think the messages are great for building the girl's self esteem. This picture is right before the race began, Avery who is in the middle is Ashleigh's best friend. These two are literally connected at the hip. The other girl is Elise, she joined us during the run along with Avery, since neither of them had a parent participating. The all have the head bands because their team was called the ninjas.

Yes this is me and Ash after the race. She really wanted me to run with her this year so I of course couldn't disappoint her and said yes. We had a great time, and I was really proud of her. She and I ran the whole time except for 3 very brief power walks (less than a minute) for her to re catch her breath, and our time came in at around 40 minutes, not too bad for my first 5K, and Ash's short legs :) You can't tell by the picture but it started raining half way through the race, and we are both soaked, and I am so tired I apparently can't even keep my eyes open for a picture! Next year will be Ashleigh's final year and we are both looking forward to it. Avery's mom is planning on running with us, and Ash thinks it's so cool that Grandma is considering running too!

Happy Birthday Ashleigh!

 Miss Ashleigh turned 10 this past week, (I can't believe I have a 10 yr. old) Anyway her she s after having to wait all day ready to open presents. She was totally bummed the day before when she found out she had to wait until the afternoon, rather than before school like her brother the week before. John was working the early morning shift on Ash's bday, but she made it and didn't make a big deal about it.

 Ready to blow out the candles on her cake. Once again  I didn't take a close up, but her cake was Harry Potter theme and she requested that there was his wand and the "magic smoke" be in pink, green and blue. It wasn't my best attempt but she thought it was great, and that's what matters.

 Hannah helped me bake Ashleighs cake, and then she enjoyed the batter bowl!

Ashleigh loved her presents, she got new roller blades, Sharpays Fabulous Adventure DVD, a new outfit, and a gift card to Barnes and Noble. I took her later that night to Barnes and Noble and she got 2 new books she's been wanting and then she ordered the next 2 books in the Avalon series that has been her recent obsession!

YMCA Family Fun Night

 The local YMCA put on their annual Kids Fun Day last week, and we decided to take the kids and check it out. We had a great time and the kids are already asking if we can do it again next year. Hannah is getting her face painted, which was one of the many activities set up inside before the runs began. They had several games and prizes, the kids thought it was great.

 Carter with the WMU Broncos mascot, he looks so thrilled :)

 Outside Ash and Carter decided to try out the rock climbing wall, it was the first time for both of them. Here Carter is just getting started. He made if 3/4 of the way up and then decided he had enough, and came down. Apparently he felt his arms and legs were not long enough to reach the rocks to go higher. I thought I had taken a picture of Ash, but apparently not

 A close up, he's 1/2 way up, looking for his next move

 Here is Hannah showing off her ribbon after completing the Tot Run, the kids 4 and under did a 200 yd. run. It was the cutest thing ever to see all these little munchkins running as fast as their little legs would go.

 Carter and Ashleigh were in the same age group for their run. The did a 1 mile run. They are at the starting line waiting for the signal. Carter is on the end and Ash is the 4th one in from the left.

 Carter just about to cross the finish line, he finished the mile in 9 1/2 min. and he said he walked a little bit of it because he got a cramp. Can we say he is one fast little dude!

Here is Ashleigh crossing the finish line, I didn't time my camera right and only caught her in the corner. She finished the mile in 11 1/2 minutes.

 Hah, I knew I had a picture of Ashleigh on the climbing wall!

 Another picture of them hanging out and waiting their turn. Each age group was separated by a 3 minute start time so there wasn't a lot of congestion on the course.

And finally here they all are finished with their races and proud of their ribbons!

Happy Birthday Carter

 Carter turned 8 this year, I can't believe it. Time goes way too fast. Here he is patiently waiting to open his presents. He got a ramp, skateboard, a new video game and a new outfit. He requested plaid shorts this year, and they had to be from the gap. Sorry no picture of those yet, but he does look pretty cool.

 Didn't get a close up of his cake, but you can see the theme was MICHIGAN he loves the wolverines, just like his Dad. Oh John had to work 2nd shift on his birthday so Carter was excited to get to open presents and eat cake before school!

Along with turning 8 he is now old enough to participate in cub scouts with church. He has loved going and also loves that his Grandma is the den leader. His first pack meeting will be the pinewood derby, and he already has his car ready to go, crossing my fingers that he will do well!

Also with turning 8, he will be getting baptised soon. We had a date set but had to cancel because John's work schedule has been crazy, so we are hoping to do it in June.

The Belly is Getting Bigger

So on Sunday we are having dinner as usual at my parents house. Everything is quiet and John stands up to go grab some more napkins. All of sudden Hannah says Dad and I quote " Daddy your belly is getting bigger." After her comment she just went back to eating as if she had said nothing. The rest of us however, busted out laughing and John now has a complex. Poor guy, and BTW I haven't noticed that his belly is getting bigger.